The Labour Party man who took on John Redwood for the Wokingham seat in the 2001 general election was figthing to lead England's mens' table tennis team to gold in Manchester as the Times went to press.

But Syed is not the only one with a town connection going for glory.

Lizzie Line, who trains at Pinewood Gymnastics Club also bagged a silver in the womens' team gymnastics event.

And Pinewood Judo Club's Georgina Singleton and Karen Roberts are also flying the flag for their country.

Georgina is fighting in the Under 52kgs category, and her better-know team-mate Roberts is hotly tipped to win the Under 63kgs division.

Karen Roberts, burst onto the world judo scene in 1992 when she won the sports Junior World Championships event and Young Sports Personality of the Year.

Still only 25, Karen also claimed bronze in the World Championships of 1999, and competed at the Sydney Olympics of 2000.

So far, the Games have had a tremendous affect on British sport and many commentators believ this could be the catalyst for the nation's youngsters to try their hand at sports they may not have otherwise considered.

Syed knows that most of all.

Anxious for table tennis to attract more young people — he believes success will not only help improve the image of the game but also bring in much needed funding.

"I can't over-emphasise how significant it would be for the game in England if we won gold," said the nation's number one player.

"Here we don't have the profile I think table tennis deserves. I would like to think victory would bring more TV coverage."

Syed believes England have enough about them to win the ultimate prize after their 3-1 victory against India in the semi-finals on Monday..

He said: "The final will be very tough, no doubt about that but we have a positive mind-set.

"The team spirit is very good. The team is very together. We've encouraged each other to train hard.

"The guys have shown excellent professionalism before the event and now. Pulling for one another gives you a little bit of one per cent more."

Syed maintained his unbeaten run in the competition when he dug deep to beat Chetan Baboor after losing the first game 10-12.

He then struggled in the second before winning it 15-13 to take the initiative.

Syed said: "There are points in the match that you look back on and realise they could have changed the entire context of it.

"Had I gone 2-0 down it would have been difficult to come back. I knew at the beginning of the third he felt it was tough. I could sense it in his demeanour. Now it is just very important I have one more performance left in the team event."

Syed got England off to a winning start and Berkshire man Gareth Herbert's superb victory against Baboor gave them a

2-0 lead.

But Terry Young, also from Berkshire, slipped up against Soumyadeep Roy, leaving Syed to try and wrap things up.

When the pressure was on, he again delivered to the delight of the partisan crowd.

Syed said: "It was incredibly warm out there and matches like that are exceptionally draining.

"Even though I was focused on the physical side in the build up, I didn't realise how warm it was. I feel it in my legs at the moment."